350 Merrydale Road program participants move in beginning November 23

The City of San Rafael will begin welcoming residents to the interim shelter at 350 Merrydale Road the week of November 23. This letter outlines the move-in schedule, the site's safety measures, and how to reach us with questions or concerns.

Over the past year, neighbors have attended community meetings, submitted questions, and shared feedback on how the site should operate. That input shaped the final operating plan, and we appreciate the time you've given to this project.

Moving in ahead of winter storms

Forecasters expect a strong El Niño this winter, with the potential for flooding in low-lying areas of San Rafael. The individuals who will live at Merrydale are currently unsheltered, living in tents in the Sanctioned Camping Area. Bringing them indoors as soon as possible is a priority for the City.

Residents will move in over the course of a week, in small groups. This gives staff time to support each new resident and confirm that security and services are operating as planned before the next group arrives.

Move-in schedule

• Initial group of 42 residents will arrive over the course of a week, beginning on November 23, 2026
• By the end of January 2027, the site will be fully occupied, with up to 65 total residents

Security and contacts

Security staff are on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. FS Global, the site operator, manages daily operations. Please use the following contacts:

• Immediate safety or medical concerns: Call 911
• Mental health support, de-escalation, or non-emergency medical help: SAFE Team, (415) 458-SAFE (7233)
• Vandalism, suspicious activity, or other non-emergency issues: San Rafael Police Department non-emergency line, (415) 485-3000
• Noise, trash, or after-hours issues at the shelter: FS Global, (415) 272-3224
• General questions: Community Services Division, (415) 256-5565 or [email protected].

We encourage you to report any concerns. Prompt reports help staff address issues quickly.

Community guidelines and site commitments

Before moving in, every resident agrees to the site's Good Neighbor Policy. The policy includes:

• Quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., with noise kept to a minimum so that music, phone use and conversations do not disturb others
• No loitering outside the property, along the SMART pathway, or in neighboring residential areas
• No tents or encampments in San Rafael while enrolled at 350 Merrydale Rd.
• Smoking only in designated outdoor areas; alcohol and drugs prohibited in common areas

The full Good Neighbor Policy is available on the project page.

Based on neighborhood feedback, the City also made changes to the property and its operations:

• Moved the main site entrance from Merrydale Road to Redwood Highway to reduce neighborhood impacts
• Designed new fencing with appropriate height, materials and screening chosen to address neighbor concerns
• Added security cameras and lighting to improve security and visibility

Staying informed

Subscribe to project updates at sanrafael.gov/merrydale. For questions, contact the Community Services Division at [email protected].